site connection speed problem -- weird..

[kevinliu]

Hi Everyone!

I don't know if this is a PHP related problem or not, but it is weird:

We developed a website (http://www.showcaseautogroup.com) using PHP and MySQL, put it on a shared hosting server at Apollohosting.com, tested it from Boston, MA. Everything is fine (we have T1 connection.) But the client at Bourne, MA (also T1 connection, but shared with telemarketing and other use) has trouble to surf the site -- --

1. it takes 6-15 seconds to load the first page into the browser. But the page size is less than 100kB and may have no DB connection request at all.
2. Once get on that page, they can click through the site without noticeable delay (say, a couple of seconds for each page to load).
3. But if they stop on one page for a couple of minutes, then continue to click on the menu buttons, they have to wait for 6-15 seconds to load the requested page, then everything is back to normal again.

My first thought was that it was their internet connection speed problem -- slow connection will cause delays, but they have T1, and they don't have problems with othe sites, like yahoo or google.
My second thought was that it was the hosting server setting problem. I contacted the hosting company and have them moved the site to an advanced server, also have them tested the connection from the hosting server to the Client Company's server. The result is fine -- The hosting company can not find any problem.

So I asked the client to run "tracert" from their PC, here is what they got:
1. <1ms <1ms <1ms 192.168.251.1
2. *

I have no idea what's going on in their company, so I called their ISP (i.e., AT&T) and asked them to check the connection from the Client Company' server to the web server. Their ISP told me that the result is fine -- They don't see any problem either.

Now I am really really confused!😕

Does anyone have any idea on this? How should I proceed the test? Where the problem could be?

I highly appreciate your help! Thanks!

-- Kevin

[AstroTeg]

Was that the complete traceroute? If so, I'd let it run much much longer. I think traceroute will help pinpoint the issue. Its very very very possible a 3rd party's router is acting up - had one last week where a router went down and I couldn't connect to my server. I talked to a friend and the server was fine for them. I traceroute and it turns out a 3rd party ISP was dropping the ball. So, have your client run traceroute and let it run for 5 minutes.

The only other thing I can think of, and I doubt this is it, but maybe the DNS servers your client is using to point them to web sites. Quick way to test that would be to find out what DNS servers they are using and then to have them ping them. As long as the ping times seem reasonable, they're ok. I doubt this is the problem, but if you're stuck, it might be something to check out.